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Carne Asada Chayote Quesadillas

I remember the days of living alone and eating quesadillas everyday. I can’t resist ooey-goey cheese and warm corn tortillas. Cheese is my addiction. They are so simple to make and can be made with just about anything.

These quesadillas are a perfect way to enjoy leftover carne asada. Mincing the meat into bite-sized pieces ensures every bite is full of flavor. Plus the grilled chayote and traditional Mexican cheese make these quesadillas rich and warm.

Chayote can be eaten raw, but my preference is to grill it. It tastes similar to zucchini. Look for chayote squashes at Latin American and Asian markets.

Directions:

Place beef in a large bowl and pour the marinade over beef. Massage marinade around so that the beef is well-covered and cover bowl. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours.

Preheat a grill or grill pan to high. Season steak with salt and pepper. Grill the steak for 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, depending on thickness of meat. Let rest 5 minutes, and then slice the meat against the grain into 1/2-inch pieces.

Grill Chayote:
Brush the chayote slices with olive oil. Season them with salt to taste. Place the chayote slices on the grill or griddle pan and cook them for 10 to 15 minutes, turning once halfway through the cooking time.

Quesadillas:
Place a dry griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place a tortilla on the skillet and top with cheese. Add 2 to 4 strips of carne asada and grilled chayote. Place another tortilla on top. Cook until light golden, about 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese melts. Flip over and cook until golden brown.